Food Court at "the Coke" was/is a good idea

First off, an apology to my friend Joyce Reed. We ran out of time and couldn't get Dan McKinney, the director for The Miracle League on Sunday's Morning Call Sports Wave show on ESPN Radio (1230 and 1320 AM).

Yours truly overbooked the show again, went long with a few guests, and simply ran out of time. I didn't want to give Dan just five minutes and rush him out of there at the end, so we will have him back this Sunday and give him at least 15 or 20 minutes to talk about all the good work The Miracle League is doing up there on Route 309.

In regard to the previous posters about the food at Coca-Cola Park, I agree that there was a missed opportunity there to give the place some distinct Lehigh Valley flavor and that's by having a food court with some of our traditional favorites being sold. I was thinking about this last winter already and brought up the subject to Kurt Landes on our Morning Call Sports Page TV show. He shot it down because the IronPigs are controlling all of the food this year with their own IronPigs Catering.

But it's something that could be rekindled and rethought about down the road. It would be a nice touch to have Yocco's hot dogs, Brass Rail cheese steaks, Stahley's steamed clams, Grumpy's Bar-B-Que all available at a 'Pigs game. I'd throw in some Malone's pizza, and Ritz ice cream, too. I'm sure other people have their favorites that are different from mine.

Either way, I'd put all of the local favorites somewhere in the outfield concourse, perhaps near the Kids Zone or Blue Cross Lawn. The Phillies do the same type of thing at Citizens Bank Park on Ashburn Alley.

It would be a nice local touch and give fans an alternative to the standard fare available elsewhere in the park. But I don't even know if the local businesses would want to participate. After all, Yocco's, for whatever reason, is no longer at the Allentown Fair.

We'll see if it's something the IronPigs will think about for the future. I have been told over and over again that this organization will take a look at things that need improvement and can be done better and will make adjustments as they go along. For now, just three home dates in, I have to give them the benefit of the doubt.

I've heard a lot of complaints about the concession prices and I am not sure if there were unrealistic expectations. People who were expecting the same prices as in Reading or even at Balliet or Limeport Stadium were probably expecting a little too much. This is a professional operation, one rung lower than the majors, after all. Perhaps they can go to some "Dollar Dog" nights that are so popular in Philly to ease the sting.

I've got to admit that watching the games on TV on Saturday and Sunday, I've been very impressed with the crowds and their level of enthusiasm. Yes, there are a lot of people around here who are just happy to have a team and a new entertainment experience, but there are a lot of people who really care whether this team wins or loses and so far, of course, they've been very disappointed.

I know that an 0-11 start is not the way this team -- or any team -- ever wants to start. But the 0-11 has stirred a lot of interest, more so than a 5-6 start would have for instance. Everywhere I go, someone's asking me, "Will they win a game?" The losing streak has given them a lot of publicity, even if it's unwanted by the guys in the clubhouse.

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Tonight will be the night. At least I think so.. You wont see any food tie in for the very same reason they have banned outside food. They own their own catering company and want the concessions all for themselves. Maybe its me, but I kinda got the feeling that this place is set up to serve the "New Lehigh Valley" not the one we grew up in. By the New Lehigh Valley, I mean the NY/NJ influence who arent fazed by these places.. Keith, no one expected Limeport prices, thats ridiculous, but Im not sure I understand why the prices are 70% more than Reading? After all, isnt Reading where all the prospects are?

Posted By: Allentown Saul | Apr 14, 2008 12:23:00 PM

Allentown Saul Man:

Haven't been to Reading in a long while, so I wasn't aware of the prices. No wonder people coming to Coca-Cola Park expecting Reading prices are so disappointed.

You're also right about the team marketing itself for the "new" Lehigh Valley instead of the old. There was very little old-time flavor in any of the opening day festivities or else you would have seen Jim Schaffer, Curt Simmons and Bob Heffner out on the field rather than the politicians.

But pardon me for being one of those guys who thinks the old Lehigh Valley was a heckuva lot better than what we have now.

And, as for prices being reflective of where the prospects are, I don't think it works that way. It's still Triple-A baseball and it's still one hop from the Triple-A level to the bigs (look at Snelling) and it's going to be marketed and priced at such. The label, the brand is the key, even if the quality right now is not there.

Posted By: Keith Groller | Apr 14, 2008 12:39:00 PM

Keith:

I agree, I would take the old Lehigh Valley over the new one, but times change, so here we are..Funny you mentioned the oldtimers. My pop was asking the other week if they would honor the Lehigh Valley baseballers that got the area interested in the game. The type of guys that you just mentioned. I said nah, these guys have no sense of Lehigh Valley history..It would have been a nice touch.

Posted By: Allentown Saul | Apr 14, 2008 1:05:03 PM

Hi Keith. Gob, Alice and Matt Hemerly invited me to see the Ironpigs game on Sunday as we were guests of the Pen Argyl baseball team. Gob is a good friend of their head baseball coach. I was given a cap with PA on the front, and told everyone I would wear it to my nephew's baseball game. (He plays JV's for CCHS)
Anyway, I was very impressed with the Park!!!! I was actually in awe. They can go 0 and 144, and I believe the valley would still go out and support them. The music is great!!! Every seat appears to be a "good" seat. The people are friendly, and it is like a reunion, because you run in to a lot of people you know. It is so nice to see the little ones running around and having a good time. I had no trouble finding my car in the parking lot afterwards. :-)

The only thing that I didn't agree with was the price of a 20 oz. Diet Coke... $3.25

I can't wait to go and see them again!!

Posted By: Karen Smitreski | Apr 14, 2008 8:00:51 PM

Hi Keith, First I have to say the park is awesome !!! And it's great to have this level of ball in our back yard !! I think the prices for tickets are verry good.Price for parking is fair at $ 3.00 dollars. I'm not even gona complain about beer prices you don't want a bunch of drunks at the game. What I'm disapointed in is the price and quallity of the food. A good allternative will be tailgating on weekends. Let's bring the L.V. food to the parking lot !!!! All in all it's a great night out !!!